[PHOTOS] How Kim Jong-Un Secured His 100% Victory In North Korea's Election
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has won every ballot cast by voters in his district, where he ran uncontested during the first elections to the Supreme People's Assembly legislature under his rule.
By Sadho Ram — 13 Mar 2014, 09:00 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
On 9 March 2014, When North Koreans Took To The Poll To Vote For Their Next President, There Was Absolutely Never Any Question Of Who Was Going To Win
Voters queued to cast their ballots - but there was only one choice on the ballot paper
Image via BBCBecause There Was Only One Candidate Running, North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un
One member one vote: Kim Jong-un casting a ballot at a polling station at the Kim Il-sung University of Politics in Pyongyang
Image via DailyMailSo, With No One Else On The Ballot, Kim Jong-Un Was Not Only Elected To The Highest Legislative Body In North Korea, He Won With The Unanimous Approval Of His District
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (right) after casting his ballot at Kim Il Sung University of Politics
Image via DailyMailAccording To State Media, Kim's District, Which Is Located On The Symbolic Mount Paekdu, Recorded 100% Turnout During Sunday's Elections, Without A Single Dissenting Ballot
Making their choice: North Koreans after casting their votes in the election of deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly
Image via DailyMail"This is an expression of all the service personnel and people's absolute support and profound trust in Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as they single-mindedly remain loyal to him,'' the state-run Korean Central News Agency said, according to an Associated Press news agency report.
aljazeera.com
North Koreans dancing after casting their votes in the election of deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly
Image via DailyMailNow, Kim Can Add MP To His Many Titles That Include Supreme Commander Of The Armed Forces And Chairman Of The Powerful National Defence Commission
Kim Jong Un supervising a flight drill of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 2620
Image via telegraph.co.ukEvery single vote cast on Sunday in Kim's constituency was for the man who can now add MP to his many titles that include Supreme Commander of the armed forces and chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission.
telegraph.co.ukSo, How Did It Happen? Why Would Everyone Choose Kim Jong-Un, Despite The Fact That Just 3 Months Ago He Had His Once-Powerful Uncle, Chang Song-thaek Brutally Executed?
The vote comes three months after the brutal and sudden execution of Mr Kim's once-powerful uncle, Chang Song-thaek. North Korea announced on 13 December it had executed Chang after convicting him of "acts of treachery".
Because Voters In The Election Have NO Choice Who To Vote For - There Is Only One Candidate's Name On The Ballot For Each Of The 687 Districts
Voters, However, Have The Choice Of Voting YES Or NO, And Even Then Virtually Everyone Still Chooses YES. Why?
Because "If You Vote NO, You Need To - Very Publicly - Enter A Separate Booth, And That Is Something Very Few Are Willing To Risk," Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker Said
Also, Participation In The Vote, Although Deemed Ritualistic By External Observers, Is Obligatory. Mobile Ballot Boxes Have Been Created To Cater To Those Who Were Ill And Could Not Travel To Balloting Stations.
People gather to watch a performer sing near an election site in the Central District near Taedong Gate, in Pyongyang, North Korea
Image via independent.co.ukA number of poems were produced to celebrate voting under titles including "The Billows of Emotion and Happiness" and "We Go To Polling Station".
aljazeera.com
Entertainment was laid on in the streets of the capital, and voters were encouraged to celebrate
Image via BBCHere's What One Of Pyongyang Residents Ri Song-Gun Told AP When He Had Cast His Vote Of Approval For His District's Candidate:
"I will devote all my intelligence and strength to fortify our socialist system centred on the masses, which was built and developed by our great generalissimos," he said.
This Was The First "Test" To Kim’s Authority Since He Came To Power. Elections Are Usually Held Every 5 Years In North Korea, The Last Being Held Before The Death Of His Father Kim Jong-il In 2011.
In the previous elections, 687 deputies were chosen. This is first time the election had been held since Kim inherited power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011.
In this propaganda image, North Korean soldiers dance after casting their votes in the election of deputies to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly at Paektusan Constituency
Image via DailyMailExternal analysts of North Korean politics watch the elections closely, despite the lack of any contest, because the changing line-up of so-called “deputies” gives a rare glimpse into the thinking of the leading Workers’ Party (WPK).
The new parliament was expected to meet next month, with experts keen to see if the new set of representatives reflects a generational change as Kim continues to replace older, more entrenched figures with younger – and potentially more loyal – ones.